KAMPALA, Uganda – As the world marks the International Day Against Child Labour, High Sound for Children, a child-rights advocacy organisation is urging the government, civil society, and communities to adopt stringent and urgent measures to eliminate child labour across the country.
Observed every June 12, the International Day Against Child Labour brings global attention to the millions of children forced into work that is harmful, exploitative, and deprives them of education and a safe childhood. This year’s theme, “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour Now!”, calls on all stakeholders to turn promises into action.
Ms Hadijah Mwanje, the Executive Director of High Sound for Children, warned that the growing prevalence of child labour in Uganda, particularly in rural areas, is robbing a generation of children of their right to learn, play, and grow in safety.
“Child labour is not just a violation of children’s rights; it is a national crisis,” said Ms. Mwanje. “We are calling on the government to prioritize the enforcement of laws protecting children and to invest more in social protection, education, and public awareness campaigns to end child labour once and for all.”
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), over 2 million children in Uganda are engaged in child labour, particularly in agriculture, domestic work, street vending, and the informal sector; with many under hazardous and exploitative conditions.
High Sound for Children is calling for the following key actions:
- Strengthening Enforcement of Child Protection Laws: The Ugandan government must fully implement the Children (Amendment) Act and the Employment Act to ensure offenders are held accountable.
- Compulsory and Accessible Education: All children should have access to free, inclusive, and quality education, particularly in rural and conflict-affected regions.
- Community Sensitization: Public education campaigns are needed to change mindsets that normalize child labour and raise awareness of its dangers.
- Economic Empowerment for Families: Families must be supported through income-generating initiatives and social welfare programs to reduce dependency on child labour.
Uganda is a signatory to international agreements including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ILO Conventions 138 and 182, which call for the elimination of child labour. High Sound for Children emphasized that commitments must be matched with action, especially as the 2025 deadline to end child labour under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8.7) approaches.
About High Sound for Children
High Sound for Children is an organization founded by senior journalists to protect Children from exposure to inappropriate content by promoting safe offline and online environments, empowering media practioners, children, caregivers and communities through education and advocacy for responsible content policies and practices.
